Joint enforcement operation in Fort St. John seizes guns and drugs

A two-week joint enforcement operation in Fort St. John resulted in the seizure of firearms, drugs, cash and other weapons as police responded to an increase in violence in the community.

The operation ran from Aug. 21 to Sept. 5 and involved Fort St. John RCMP and the Uniform Gang Enforcement Team of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC). Police said UGET officers were deployed to assist local RCMP investigators after authorities observed an increase in violence in Fort St. John.

Investigators provided information about people believed to be connected to the rise in violent activity. During the initiative, officers focused on people alleged to be linked to gang activity, violence and the illicit drug trade. The effort led to multiple arrests.

Police seized seven firearms, including handguns, rifles and a shotgun, along with $16,000 in cash. Other items included brass knuckles, ammunition, a knife, a BB gun and bear spray.

Officers also gathered intelligence on people involved in the region's ongoing gang conflict and drug trade. Police expect the information to support future Fort St. John RCMP investigations.

CFSEU-BC Sgt. Sarbjit K. Sangha said collaboration with policing partners is critical to disrupting gang activity and addressing violence associated with the illicit drug trade. She said combining Fort St. John RCMP's local knowledge and intelligence with CFSEU-BC's specialized enforcement resources better positions police to target people who pose the greatest risk to public safety, and that the agencies will continue their enforcement and intelligence work across British Columbia.

Police have not released details about the drugs seized or the identities of those arrested. The investigations remain ongoing.